Do you have a criminal record you’d love to see wiped clean giving you a fresh start on your good name? The District Attorney’s Office may have just the ticket you’re looking for.
The D.A. is hosting a free, legal, “Clean Slate Clinic” to show people how to expunge a criminal record, felony reduction and sealing arrest records from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 8 at the SLO County Law Library, located in the County Courthouse basement (Ste. 125), 1050 Monterey St., in Downtown SLO.
This free clinic “is for local residents whose convictions were processed through San Luis Obispo County Superior Court,” reads a public notice on the event. “The purpose of the Clean Slate Clinic is to help eliminate a barrier to employment and housing for individuals who have criminal records.”
No matter when it happened or how serious it actually was, in today’s wired world, a prospective employer is likely to find it on the Internet.
“A criminal record — no matter how old or how minor,” the release said, “can be a significant barrier to re-entry for people when most employers, property managers and universities use background checks to screen applicants.”
The event is co-sponsored by the County Probation Department, San Luis Obispo Defenders, Restorative Partners, People’s Justice Project, California Rural Legal Assistance, and San Luis Obispo College of Law.
“We are proud to work with our community partners,” D.A. Dan Dow said, “to help with the time-consuming and paperwork-intensive process of expunging criminal records and helping folks get on track to leading productive and engaged lives.
“The added stability that comes from obtaining employment and housing helps reduce rates of recidivism which improves the overall quality of life in our community.”
The poor criminal’s lawyer, the public defender’s office, is glad to help. “A criminal record can be a barrier to success and stability in life,” Steve Rice, the Primary Public Defender for SLO County, said. “We believe that everyone deserves a second chance, and this clinic will give individuals the opportunity to start fresh.”
If readers are interested in clearing their criminal record, make an appointment to the SLO Clean Slate Clinic on Friday, March 8 by calling (805) 902- 2752. Walk-ins are welcome “but appointments are strongly preferred.”
